Trump tells Israel to stop bombing Gaza, says Hamas ready for lasting peace

Following Hamas’s response to his Gaza plan, former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he “believe” the Palestinian group is ready for a “lasting PEACE” and demanded Israel to “immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly.”

“Based on the Statement just issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, it’s far too dangerous to do that. We are already in discussions on details to be worked out. This is not about Gaza alone, this is about long sought PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump wrote on his social media Truth Social.

Hamas announced its approval to release all “Israeli” captives, living and deceased, according to the exchange formula mentioned in President Trump’s proposal, provided that the field conditions for the exchange process are secured.

“In this regard, the Movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details thereof,” the group said in a statement on Friday.

Following Hamas’ announcement of its position on the ceasefire proposal, Israel has escalated its bombing of the northern Gaza Strip. Airstrikes targeted the Al-Sabra neighbourhood, causing fires. Israel also detonated three armoured vehicles. Two airstrikes hit near the Al-Nour Center for the Blind.

Earlier on Friday, UN experts expressed hope for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza but warned that any peace plan must absolutely safeguard the human rights of Palestinians, and not create further conditions of oppression.

“We welcome parts of the peace plan announced by the United States to end the war in Gaza, including a permanent ceasefire, rapid release of unlawfully detained persons, an influx of humanitarian aid under United Nations supervision, no forced displacement from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the non-annexation of territory,” the experts said.

Full text of Hamas Movement’s response to the Trump plan:

Out of keenness to stop the aggression and the war of extermination to which our steadfast people in the Gaza Strip are being subjected, and based on national responsibility, and out of concern for the constants, rights, and supreme interests of our people, the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” conducted in-depth consultations within its leadership institutions, wide-ranging consultations with Palestinian factions and forces, and consultations with brother mediators and friends, to reach a responsible position in dealing with the plan of American President Donald Trump.

After extensive study, the Movement has made its decision and submitted its following response to the brother mediators:

The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, and the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for an immediate halt to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, the immediate entry of aid, the rejection of the occupation of the Strip, and the rejection of the displacement of our Palestinian people from it.

In this context, and in a manner that achieves a cessation of the war and a complete withdrawal from the Strip, the Movement announces its approval to release all “israeli” captives, living and deceased, according to the exchange formula mentioned in President Trump’s proposal, provided that the field conditions for the exchange process are secured. In this regard, the Movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter into negotiations through the mediators to discuss the details thereof.

The Movement also renews its approval to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and based on Arab and Islamic support.

As for the other issues mentioned in President Trump’s proposal concerning the future of the Gaza Strip and the authentic rights of the Palestinian people, this is linked to a comprehensive national position and based on relevant international laws and resolutions, and it will be discussed through a comprehensive Palestinian national framework of which Hamas will be a part and to which it will contribute with full responsibility.